Man killed during machete fight outside Peckham nightclub ‘had gone back to help friend’

Murder detectives have named a man fatally stabbed in a machete attack, which left two others fighting for life.

Aurelio Mejía, 26, was fatally knifed in the neck outside a party at the Laxa Lounge in Peckham, south London.

Police and paramedics were scrambled to Ruby Street at 3.54am on Monday after reports of a fight outside the club. 

Aurelio was found with stab and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

His next of kin are being supported by specialist officers. 

Two other men, both in their 20s, were injured at the scene and remain in life-threatening condition in hospital. 

Four men, one aged 18 and another three aged 24, were arrested later that same day on suspicion of murder and remain in custody.  

Witnesses said that two groups of men clashed with the victim before he was knifed in the neck. He managed to stagger 40 yards away and collapsed in a pool of blood.

One told Metro: ‘There were machetes and extreme violence. Two groups of men, who I think had been in the club, were fighting. 

‘It seemed the man who died had gone back to help his friend. He had a neck wound from what I could see.

‘Another had a bleeding leg. They were all Portuguese or Spanish-speaking. It seemed they had all been to the same event. They all had cars parked nearby. 

‘The club is generally peaceful we hadn’t had any problems until now.’

A mother-of-two who lives near the scene told Metro: ‘There was some shouting and I thought it was just someone boozed up.

‘Obviously the club opens late sometimes as its hired out for parties. But I saw blue lights and looked out and there were police everywhere – it was carnage.’ 

A student living in a block nearby said police had swarmed the area.

He said: ‘It’s terrifying, even my mum heard about it on the news. To live in a crime scene and crossing a police line to get to university is awful.’

Forensics officers are trawling for clues with specialist search officers scouring the area for weapons. 

Detectives are looking through CCTV footage and doorbell cameras. The club remains closed and police cordons are in place.

DCI Neil John, who is leading the Met’s investigation, said: ‘This is a deeply tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the victim’s family during this difficult time.

‘We have already arrested four men and our investigation continues at pace.

‘We are aware of the concern that this will cause the local community and those in the area will notice an increased police presence throughout the day.

‘This assault occurred outside a busy nightclub, and we’d encourage anyone who has any information, dashcam or mobile phone footage which could support the investigation to contact us.’

Anyone with information or footage has been urged to call the police by calling 101.

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